CONFERENCE PROGRAM

Conference Host

Center for Science and Mathematics Education Research

The Center for Science and Mathematics Education Research at the University of Maine integrates research in student learning, research in teacher beliefs, and assessment of curricula into University-based research and training in science and mathematics education.

The main objectives of the Center are to:

· redesign introductory courses in mathematics and the sciences based upon mathematics, chemistry, earth sciences, and physics education research

· create attractive, content-rich teacher preparation and continuing education options for mathematics and science teachers that integrate content and pedagogy

· spearhead partnerships with public school teachers and University faculty to understand how student interest and achievement in mathematics and science are enhanced

· develop materials to form the basis for a statewide or national curriculum based on cultivating mathematics and science thinking through inquiry models.

The Center aims to become a source of well-qualified science and mathematics teachers for grades K-12 as well as a leader in creating coherent, developmentally-appropriate curricula for mathematics and science for grades 6-16.

Center projects have received funding from the U.S. Department of Education, the National Science Foundation, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Arthur Vining Davis Foundations, and the Bank of America Company, trustee of the Lloyd G. Balfour Foundation. For further information about the Center, its Master of Science in Teaching (MST) Program, and its research projects, please contact Professor Susan R. McKay, Center Director.

Conference Support

The Center for Science and Mathematics Education Research gratefully acknowledges support for this conference received from the National Science Foundation Teacher Professional Continuum Program, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, and the Bank of America Company, trustee of the Lloyd G. Balfour Foundation.

Keynote Speaker - Dr.Joe Schwarcz

Text Box: Sunday, June 25, 2006
7:00 PM to 7:45 PM
Stewart Dining Commons

HEY! THERE ARE COCKROACHES IN MY CHOCOLATE ICE CREAM!

No, there really are no cockroaches in chocolate ice cream. But one of my radio listeners did jump to this conclusion after misinterpreting what had been said about a certain food colorant. Being on one end of a microphone and in front of television cameras for over twenty years has afforded some fascinating insight into the public's perception of science. It has also provided an opportunity to separate sense from nonsense in areas ranging from nutrition and medications to cosmetics and pesticides. This highly visual and entertaining presentation examines some serious as well as some frivolous experiences in dealing with the public and emphasizes the importance of fostering critical thinking.

Dr. Joe Schwarcz

Director, McGill Office for Science and Society

Joe Schwarcz (PhD McGill 1973) is Director of McGill University’s Office for Science and Society which is dedicated to demystifying science for the public, the media and students. He is also a professor in the chemistry department and teaches nutrition and alternative medicine in McGill’s Medical School. Dr. Schwarcz is well known for his informative and entertaining public lectures on topics ranging from the chemistry of love to the science of aging. He has received numerous awards for teaching chemistry and for interpreting science for the public. Among these are the Royal Society of Canada’s McNeil Award and the American Chemical Society’s prestigious Grady-Stack Award. Previous winners of the Grady-Stack have included famed science writer Isaac Asimov, New York Times columnist Walter Sullivan and Don Herbert of TV’s “Mr. Wizard” fame. Dr. Schwarcz is the only non-American ever to be honored with this prize. His latest award is the Royal Canadian Institute’s Sandford Fleming Medal.

“Dr. Joe” appears on the Canadian Discovery Channel, TV Ontario, Global Television, CBC-TV, CTV-TV and various radio stations. He hosts the "Dr. Joe Show" on Montreal's CJAD and Toronto’s CFRB every Sunday from 3-4 PM. He was also the host of “Science To Go,” a 13 episode show on the Discovery Channel that focused on common foods. Dr. Schwarcz writes a weekly newspaper column in the Montreal Gazette entitled “The Right Chemistry” as well as a monthly column in Canadian Chemical News. He was the chief consultant on the Reader’s Digest best sellers “Foods That Harm, Foods That Heal” (2004) and “The Healing Power of Vitamins, Minerals and Herbs” (1999) and contributed the chemistry chapter to the best-selling “Mental Floss.” His book “Radar, Hula Hoops and Playful Pigs,” published in 1999 was a Canadian best-seller. “The Genie in the Bottle,” also a best-seller, was published in May, 2001. “That’s The Way The Cookie Crumbles” was released in November, 2002 and made the best-seller list in its very first week. It also received the 2003 Independent Publishers Award for science books. “Dr. Joe and What You Didn’t Know” another best-seller, was released in December of 2003. “The Fly in the Ointment” was published in August, 2004 and his latest work “Let Them Eat Flax” appeared in November of 2005. The books have been translated into five languages and are sold around the world. Dr. Schwarcz was awarded an honorary Doctorate degree from Athabasca University in the spring of 2002.

Invited Speakers

	Smart girls, too few choices: Why young women still steer away from science and math careers and what teachers can do about it Stephanie Blaisdell, Ph.D. Consultant, Diversity in STEM Fields Collierville, TN 38017
	Process object theories of learning and applications to understanding first-order differential equations John E. Donovan II, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Mathematics Education University of Maine Orono, ME 04469
	The physical sciences as a basis of integration: The Academy of Science model Jayne Fonash, M.A. Director of Guidance Loudoun County Public Schools, Academy of Science Sterling, VA 20164
	Native waters Ed Galindo, Ph.D. Research Scientist Aquaculture Department- American Indians in Science University of Idaho Moscow, ID 83844
	What we know about preparing secondary science teachers: a few facts, many assumptions and great deal of unanswered questions. Nicole M. Gillespie, Ph.D. Senior Program Officer, Science Knowles Science Teaching Foundation Moorestown, NJ 08057
	College math and science performance and ethnicity: Some recent trends and ideas Eric Hsu, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Mathematics San Francisco State University San Francisco, CA 94132
	The relationship of coherence of thought and conceptual change to ability Pamela A. Kraus, Ph.D. Research Scientist FACET Innovations Seattle, WA 98105
	Project Lead The Way: A solution to increasing student interest in math and science Patrick Leaveck Regional Director Project Lead The Way Davison, MI 48423
	One step at a time: Working toward change in general chemistry Jennifer Lewis, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Chemistry University of South Florida Tampa, FL 33620
	New integrative marine science courses at the University of Maine build skills through inquiry, writing, and critical thinking Sara M. Lindsay, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Marine Sciences University of Maine Orono, ME 04469
	Connecting school and community as a way to improve Alaska native students' math performance Jerry Lipka, Ph.D. Professor of Education University of Alaska Fairbanks Fairbanks, AK 99709
	Gender in science and math education Laura McCullough, Ph.D. Science Education Program Director Associate Professor of Physics University of Wisconsin-Stout Menomonie, WI 54751
	Obstacles to calculus: Difficulties with geometry and visualization David Meel, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Mathematics Education Bowling Green State University Bowling Green, OH